Opinion on HF 2 in 1 nailer/stapler indentations, am i doing something wrong?

[TT_Vert]

I feel like this didn't occur before but i don't recall. Reading reviews people say they use it for trim but given the staple width indentation even when nailing I find that hard to believe. I was looking to attach a pic of the indent it leaves but I cannot find one. It is the entire outline of the tip of the nail/stapler so it is fairly wide (1/2") which obviously won't work as I don't want to have to patch a ton of staple width holes for an 18 gauge brad nail. I have tried to play w/ pressures but it made no difference.

This is the nailer I have.

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-2-in-1-air-nailerstapler-68019.html

Any input? Is this just the way it is? Am I doing something wrong?

Update.. It seems this is normal and people have a fix.

Thanks much guys
Dave

 

[The Cobbler]

combo units are known to leave much larger dimples. the driver for the staple is obviously bigger than a brad & that's whats doing it .

 

[The Cobbler]

that "fix" is redneck. I would think that gun has a depth adjustment that would serve the same purpose.
by doing what he did he fails to mention that the brad doesn't set into the wood either, and when you staple they wont set either.
I would not do that to any gun , unless I was prepared to live with the end results as I mentioned

 

[619DioFan]

I have both the 2 and 1 unit and the other that just shoots brads. the 2 and 1 unit does leave a noticable dent and pressure adjustments did not help. the unit that shoots just brads works very well with no dent. I use the 2 and 1 just for staples and on projects where a small mark doesn't matter ( shipping crates , wire fences , uhpolstery , etc ) the price is so low that having both is just fine with me.

 

[James-W]

Re: Opinion on HF 2 in 1 nailer/stapler indentations, am I doing something wrong?

First of all, I am not a fan of "combo" guns, I prefer to buy separate tools instead. That aside, I agree with "The Cobbler", the staple driver is wider and that is what is causing the problem. If you grind it down you will essentially ruin the gun.

 

[TT_Vert]

Thanks guys, I'll keep this gun for stuff that doesn't cosmetically matter. A friend loaned me an 18 ga. brad nailer to use for this project.

Dave